Instant messaging app WeChat has started offering 1 GB cloud storage free to users to help them store documents, pictures and videos.

Users of WeChat, which is operated by Chinese firm Tencent, can access the 'Favourite' option on their chat screen to save pictures, voice notes, videos and text messages directly on the cloud, the company said in a statement.

The saved documents can be accessed any time and on multiple devices.

"The 'Favourite Message with 1GB cloud storage' feature enables users to save their favourite memories in the form of texts, videos and picture format without having to compromise on their device space and, also enables them to access these with just one touch whenever they want," Tencent India Vice-present, Marketing and Business Development, Nilay Arora said.

Such additions to the application add value to overall communication experience of a user and also encourage interaction, he added.

WeChat, which launched its operations in India in 2012, has over 100 million registered accounts internationally. The messaging application was the second most downloaded application on iOS in India in 2013.

According to Global Web Index (a third party UK based research firm), about 41.8 per cent smartphone users in India are on WeChat. The company does not disclose country-specific user numbers.

WeChat is available for download for smartphones based on Nokia X, Android, BlackBerry, iOS, Symbian and Windows operating systems.